The “National campaign against cancer” is being organized nationwide for the third year by the National Cancer Center and Mongolian National Broadcaster since its launch in 2011. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Mongolia.

When the “National campaign against cancer” was first launched in 2011 it reached 20 provinces and 9 districts. The campaign ran again in 12 provinces across the country in 2012.

Now the campaign has been expanded in Dornod, Khentii, Umnugovi, Khuvsgul, Bulgan, Arkhangai and Uvurkhangai provinces and Kharkhorin and Zuunkharaa where the level of diagnosis of cancer is higher compared to other regions of Mongolia.
There is a strong correlation between tumor diagnosis and mortality rates and is particularly high amongst local populations in remote area. Almost 70 percent of cancer patients are diagnosed in the 3rd or 4th stage of progression where there is a lack of diagnostic first aid, medical care and information about the illness in remote areas.

A medical team from the National Cancer Center have launched a cancer diagnose program first among civilians who are susceptible to tumor risk in the Province Hospitals conducting training for medical doctors and staff and urgent surgery for patients since August 18th.

Awareness of the dangers of cancer has been raised and medical specialists and volunteers are more knowledgeable about professional excellence in local area.

According to the first results of the campaign conducted earlier in 2013, 22 patients were diagnosed with cancer, 34 patients with suspected tumors, 418 patients diagnosed with benign tumors and 2,343 patients diagnosed as at high risk of cancer. A total of 6,042 civilians were checked and 29 urgent surgeries were conducted successfully in Dornod, Khentii, Arkhangai and Uvurkhangai provinces.

The Khaan Bank foundation invested over 300 million MNT in the campaign to save lives from cancer over the last two years.  Since the campaign was launched over 40,000 civilians were involved in cancer diagnosis and 168 urgent surgeries were conducted, 13.9 percent of involved people were diagnosed with tumors, cancer and cancer related diseases and 53 percent were diagnosed with other diseases.

As a result of the campaign 7,400 patients were diagnosed in the early stages and could be treated. From the very beginning of the launch the “National campaign against cancer” has been applauded by civilians, patients and co-organizers.

The “National campaign against cancer” is running in Umnugovi province this week. A medical team on the campaign will then head to Bulgan-Khuvsgul provinces on September 22nd to begin checks.